Blue Fin (1978) - full transcript
Based on the children's novel by celebrated South Australian author 'Colin Thiele', this is an emotional father and son story about tuna fishing of Southern Blue Fin tuna in South Australia's Port Lincoln fishing district. Accident prone son Snook is forever making mistakes much to the chagrin of his father Pascoe. But when tragedy strikes the fishing boat during a deep sea fishing trek in the Southern Ocean, the boy is called on to become a man in a rites of sea passage to reconcile is past mishaps and save both his father and the ship from certain disaster.
(light music)
(equipment beeping)
- Come on, wake up, Jock,
wake up.
(groaning)
(sizzling)
- Is that bugger getting UP?
- I think he's dead.
- Yeah well he's not the
only one.
(clanging)
_ Qyoyoyoy!
Oyoyoyoy!
- Come on you lot, I'm not
running a hotel, you know?
(light music)
' Hey, 0y. skipper!
Fish!
Hurry up now!
(laughing)
(fast beeping)
- Ah, snook.
- Gotta keep my eye on you.
- Just keep your eye on fishing,
man.
It's about time we got a
good catch.
- Looks like a big school?
- Picking up the one
we've been waiting for.
- Stop yakking, you two.
- Do you mind?
- Need any help, dad?
- [Dad] Just stand here
and watch and learn.
- [Man] They're here, Skipper!
- And if you can, don't
be always in my way.
(birds squawking)
Geordie, start chumming.
- [Geordie] Right, skipper.
- Come on.
Hooray!
- Come on, come on.
- [Man On Radio] Dogstar
to Bluefin.
Dogstar to Bluefin.
Dogstar to Bluefin.
- Bluefin to Dogstar.
- [Man On Radio] Hello
Snook, where's your father?
- He's busy.
- [Man On Radio] Tell
him we're sailing home
with 40 tonnes.
- Stop boasting.
How often do I have to tell
you not to touch this radio?
(light music)
"Ah!
(grunting)
- Come on!
- [Sam] Bait, Geordie, bait!
- Catch full, skipper!
- [Dad] Con, clear the deck.
- Skipper, Snook can chum.
_ No!
- They're biting, mate, it can't
go wrong.
- It's not worth the risk.
- Snook.
Come down here.
- Darn!
- Son, here is the chance
you wanted.
Hey, don't fall over your
own feet.
One day you'll go straight into
the water.
(light music)
All right Snook, two twos.
Keep going, a steady sprinkle.
- Bait!
Come on boy.
- Snook, bait.
- We're losing them!
- More bait!
Quick!
Both sides!
Come on!
Other school!
The other side too!
Quick, quick!
Leave it.
Leave it.
You've lost them.
- No more than four tones I
would say.
First decent school we've had
in ages.
- Yeah.
- We were sitting on a
hundred tonnes of tuna.
And all we get is four.
(sombre music)
♪ Up is Jack, he's come
to see me ♪
♪ See the time goes on with me ♪
♪ He'll come back ♪
- Have you finished this?
Come on, let's play cards, clear
this off.
- How many Rs in the suffrages?
- One.
- One?
- Is Jock coming?
- No, he's up there
getting his beauty sleep.
- Have you finished with
this one?
- I didn't know a bloke
could be that tired.
- One day he'll fall
asleep while he's fishing.
Right into the drink.
- But you know they'll throw
him back
when they smell his feet.
(laughing)
- Don't worry, we got just
the bloke to take over.
" Who?
- Snook, the demon chum.
- Oh come on, leave the
kid alone.
- I'm not a kid.
- I'm in.
I'm in.
Want a game, son?
- No thanks.
- Two.
- Two and uh.
(men laughing)
- Hey-
Cheer up.
You'll be okay next time.
- Not if dad's around.
- He's a hard man.
And he's extra tough on you.
He's come out here for years
and taken what he wanted.
And the seas played
along with him.
So he thinks he's the master.
- Sam.
Time the boy was in bed.
(light music)
(dog barking)
- What on earth are you doing?
- Thought dad might be
coming back.
- Father?
You only want him back so
Sam can take you to the ball.
- I'm going down to talk to dad.
- It won't do you any good.
- Oh, you never know.
I might be able to charm
him into it.
(revving)
- Right done, Pascoe.
You better find that fish today.
(boat revving)
(zooming)
- Strong wind warnings,
wind southeast southwest.
20 to 25 knots expected to
reach 30 knots at times.
First up today by special
request is Blue Fin.
VH5SE calling Blue Fin.
VH5SE calling Blue Fin.
Come in, Bill.
- Yes, 5SE from Blue Fin.
We are all right, over.
- Someone here for you, Bill.
- Hi dad.
Any chance of you getting Sam
back here by tomorrow night?
All the other boats will be
back.
- Sorry Ruth, you and your
mother will have to find
someone else to dance with.
(light music)
(hissing)
- Those eggs all right?
- Morning, skipper.
- Good morning, Geordie.
- Here, try that.
- Thanks, oh, nice and hot.
- Yeah.
- I hope the eggs are too.
(groaning)
- Ugh!
(tense music)
- [Sam] Get the skipper!
(coughing)
- Dad, dad!
- Yeah?
- The ammonia's leaking!
- Take the wheel!
(coughing)
Sam!
Get up, get up!
- Hey come on buddy, hey!
Come on.
- Out you 9°-
Come on come on.
Out you get.
On the step, come on, up you go.
That's it.
Come on, easy now.
Come on, come on, sit down.
Sit down.
- Sam, you gonna be all right?
Dad, is he gonna be all right?
- You think you'll live?
- Yeah.
- Good boy.
- That stuff can kill
you, skipper.
- Blue Fin to VH5SE.
Blue Fin to VH5SE.
- [VHS-SE] Go ahead, Blue Fin.
- My freezer's packed up,
we are returning home.
- [VH5SE] Bad luck, Bill.
What time can we expect you?
- We're speeding it up,
say in about 10 hours.
" [VH5SE] Roger.
(whistling)
- Geordie.
- Yeah?
- How long will it take
to mend the freezer?
- [Geordie] Two, three days
maybe, why?
- I wanna come out on the next
trip.
- You know what I think.
- Yeah I know, you keep telling
me.
- Anybody who wants to be
a fisherman these days,
- [Both] Needs his head
examined.
- [Geordie] That's right.
- I'm going to ask dad.
- No.
- [Snook] Yeah.
- Good luck.
Snook, don't push him.
- You gonna let me come
on your next trip, dad?
I've got 10 days before
I go back to school.
- I think you'll be
much better off on land
for the time being.
- But I'll be great on
the lookout.
I've got good eyes.
- [Pascoe] All right,
what's that?
- Another tuna boat.
I reckon it's Dog Star.
- I want you to think before
you speak.
We both heard on the
radio yesterday
Dog Star went back home.
- I don't care, it's Dog Star.
- Blue Fin to Dog Star.
Blue Fin to Dog Star,
how do you read, over?
- Hello Bill, have any luck?
- Aren't you supposed to be home
with a load of 40 tonne of fish?
- We picked up another 10 tonne.
- [Pascoe] I call that
overloading.
- Yeah well, I reckon my boat
full can beat you back empty.
You game to take me on?
- Haha. (laughing)
You're on, man!
(light music)
Sam, pump the stone tank empty!
' Right!
Get the muck on, quick as I can!
- Right, come on now!
Now don't panic lads,
don't panic.
Come on, no way.
Come on lads!
- Hey mom, mom!
They're on their way home!
- Oh no, what's gone wrong now?
- Freezer trouble.
- That's all we need.
Boat's out of action, a
whole pile of repair bills.
Plus the fact that
Pam's just home
and the two of the
tuna quest girls
have gone down with
the chicken pox.
- Oh no.
(honking)
- Hey, watch it, Lofty.
- Getting quicker, Flash.
Hey mate, you should have
been a ballet dancer.
Blue Fin, Dog Star,
which one first?
- Oh, they're neck and neck at
the moment.
(light music)
(men shouting drowned out
by motors)
(men shouting and taunting)
(screaming)
- [Sam] Hey, stop!
Get back!
(splashing)
- Man overboard, skipper!
- [Man] Quick, that bay's full
of sharks!
- Snook!
- What?
- And Sam!
- [Man] Get a light!
_ Sam!
' [Man] Snook!
' [Man] Sam!
(splashing)
" Bach!
- Gordon's taking the rear.
- No sign, skipper.
' [Man] Sam!
- [Both] Sam!
- Snook!
Snook!
' [Man] Sam!
Snook!
- Snook!
' [Man] Sam!
- [Man] What's that?
- [Geordie] No, nothing,
just rubbish.
- Snook!
- Listen!
(splashing in distance)
- It's all right, mate, it's me.
You Okay?
Okay?
- Dad'll kill me.
- Yeah but he's got to
find us first.
Now come on, yell!
- Hey!
Dad!
_ Skmper!
- Dad, we're over here!
- [Sam] Help, Skipper!
Over here!
I've got the boy!
I've got him!
Over here!
- There!
- We've got him, skipper!
- Over here, skipper!
It's all right, boy.
Skipper!
Over here!
" Bach!
- It's all right, it's
all right.
- Come on, you'll make it!
Hurry up!
- Come on!
Come on still lad, that's
on you!
- [Man] Look at that swimming,
bit more, bit more!
Come on boy, come on.
(mumbling)
Get a hand, get a hand son.
All right get that hand.
There you go.
There we go.
- There you go.
- Score flat 10 and a big
barracuda.
Shall we tow them back?
- Oh they'll pollute the
harbour!
- What the heck were you trying
to do?
Don't you ever think?
Go and get dry.
You hear me?
(sombre music)
All of you believe me.
He is useless.
- [Herbie] Hey gorgeous!
♪ Give me your answer too ♪
- Hello, Herbie.
Hi dad!
- [Pascoe] Hello, Ruth.
- Hey-
- How you doing?
- Had a good time, Snook?
What's wrong?
- [Sam] I'll tell you later.
- [Bellamy] What kept
you, Billy?
- Leave it, leave it.
- Don't you ever.
Don't you ever do that
again to me.
You nearly cost me my son.
- What's a matter, Pascoe?
Lost your sense of humour?
(laughing)
- [Sam] Morning, Snook.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Promise you're not gonna
kill me?
- Why?
- I can't make it tonight.
- Oh no.
- Ah yeah.
- [Ruth] Why not?
- [Sam] Go with Snook.
- [Ruth] Snook?
- [Sam] Why don't you ask him?
- [Ruth] A waste of time.
I just won't go.
- Hey, what are you doing
tonight?
You going to the ball?
- No thanks.
- [Sam] What are
you gonna do then?
- I don't know.
But anything's better than that.
- I'm sure he'll think of
something.
_ Sam!
Want some coffee?
- Yeah.
Hey skip, there's
something I gotta tell you.
- Ah, shoot.
- Well at the end of the season,
when Ruth and I get married.
- You wanna leave Blue Fin.
- Yeah.
- 'Cause you don't wanna
work for your father-in-law.
- Right.
But how'd you know that?
- 'Cause I'd do exactly the
same.
Then you never know, I,
I might talk you into staying
with me.
- Snook's growing up
sooner or later, he could--
- He isn't made for it.
- He's just a kid.
What do you expect from a kid?
- I know he's only a kid.
But Snook will never
make a good fisherman.
There's nothing wrong with that.
- The compressor won't
be ready till Wednesday.
- So what?
- So will it be okay with you
if I took a trip on Dog Star?
- Dog Star'?
- [Sam] I'll be back
Tuesday at the latest.
- What's Bellamy trying to do?
- One of his crew's sick.
He just needs a new poler,
that's all.
- I could do with the money.
- I see.
Okay.
(clicking)
- Good morning.
- Oh hi mom.
- Get yourself some breakfast?
_ YGP-
- Father and I had a long talk
last night.
Think you might have to give up
the idea
of becoming a fisherman.
- It's because I fell overboard,
isn't it?
- Nothing to do with it.
- Yes it has, dad blames
me for everything.
- There are other jobs.
- I don't want another job.
I'm gonna be a fisherman.
- [Mom] Where are you going?
- Fishing!
(light music)
- You can get that over there.
- All right.
- We got a good catch, this one.
- [Ruth] Oh Sam, no!
Oh!
Oh Sam.
Oh don't don't go, not tonight!
Oh Sam! (giggling)
(giggling)
(boat honking)
Oh Snook.
Snook!
- Yeah?
- You're not gonna let me go
to the ball
by myself tonight, are you?
- Just watch me.
- Yeah, we got better
things to do.
- [Ruth] Ah yeah, like what?
- That's our business.
- Okay-
- Go on, you get your own!
You get your own.
Go on!
- Come on, get out right.
- Watch there on this one.
Do this myself.
- Now get on.
Go on, get away!
- Catch, lazy.
(light dance music)
- [Woman] Oh, hello.
(slurping)
- What can we do now?
- Have another milkshake.
- What are we gonna do now?
(zooming)
- Hey!
- Hey wait, you dropped
your load!
Hey wait!
- Come back!
(shouting over each other)
- Come back, wait!
- He's a beauty, isn't he?
- How do you know it's a he?
Could be a she, couldn't it?
- Hey, what about this?
They want a tuna queen,
don't they?
- [Snook] Ready, let's go.
' [Kid] Okay.
- [Snook] One, two.
(giggling)
- Come on, it's dead, walking.
- Hold on, it's slipping!
Wait, look out.
- There's been an accident?
- [Kids] NQ_
- Who's hurt?
- No one, no one.
- No one's hurt.
- It's a missing tuna.
Fell off a truck.
- Miss Spooner fell off a truck?
(laughing)
I know her!
She works in the library.
- Not Miss Spooner, a tuna!
(crowd applauding)
(light music)
(kids giggling)
- Shh, quiet!
Shh!
Shh, quiet.
- [Man] Ladies and gentlemen
it gives me great pleasure
to introduce the Roswell kids.
- Shh, come on.
Shh.
- I must begin by saying
how pleased we are
to be here tonight.
(giggling)
"Shh!
Shh, quiet, Pamela.
They'll hear us!
Shh.
- My wife and I, always been
keenly interested in the sea.
I have had the privilege
of serving
in her majesty's Royal
Navy for a good many years.
Our dear lady is quite a
connoisseur
of the culinary delights the
Asians offer.
And tuna, I must admit
is one of our favourite.
And it's thanks to people
like you
who courageously venture
forth in your clippers
that we are able to indulge
ourselves.
I mustn't keep you in suspense
any longer.
Already I can see some of the
young ladies waxing impatient.
So why don't we ask them to step
up here
onto the stage?
(trumpet music)
(man laughing)
(crashing)
(girls shrieking)
(laughing)
(kooky music)
(wheels squeaking)
(light music)
- Well, do you repent your
evil deed?
- No, it was worth it.
- [Ruth] Come on, have
some lunch.
- After I finish this.
- Dad won't mind you taking
a break.
Just stubborn as he is.
- [Reporter] But at the
moment here's some news
just come to hand.
There've been several
reports of ships and aircraft
of a fire at sea on the
South Australian Coast
over this morning.
- Listen!
- [Reporter] And since then a
fishing boat
has been reported missing
and a big search is now
being organised.
That's all at the moment
but we will have more details
for you
just as soon as they come in.
Next news, one--
(squawking)
(urgent music)
(crowd chattering)
- Excuse me!
Excuse me.
It's Dog Star, isn't it?
- Come on.
Your father wanted to go
out and help find them.
- [Man] VH5SC to all vessels,
we repeat, the Dog Star
is missing.
- How much do I have
to sign for this time?
- Oh, you're going on
the search.
The boss says this one's on
the house.
" Really?
Thank you.
- Ruth.
Snook come on, get ashore.
- Please, dad.
- You're coming with us!
- Come on, Snook.
(boat motor humming)
- Dad went missing
once, didn't he?
- Yes, before you were born.
- What did you do?
- Waited.
- Mom, Ruth!
They're going to search
the coast, I'm going.
- Wait for me, I'm coming too.
- No, Ruth, don't go.
- Anything's better than
just waiting.
(slamming)
(light music)
Oh Snook!
It'll be dark soon!
Oh come on, let's go on.
- But he could be in
those rocks!
- He's not.
He's out there somewhere.
(radio chatter)
(waves crashing)
(sombre music)
- He'll come back.
I know he will.
- I hate the sea.
Never thought I would.
(tense music)
- No.
- Everybody's going home, skip.
- Well.
We are not.
(wind howling)
(calm music)
- Look!
Over there!
(tense music)
- Over there, over there.
(sombre music)
(crashing)
(bell tolling)
(sniffling)
(tolling)
IWe cry to him ♪
♪ All those in peril
on the sea ♪
- Yea though I walk through
the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil
for thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff shall
comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table
before me
against them that trouble me.
Thou hast anointed my
head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving goodness
and mercy
shall follow me all the days of
my life.
And I will dwell in the
house of the Lord forever.
(sombre music)
(man coughing)
- When will you want us, skip?
(birds squawking)
- Stan's not going on
the next trip.
- You're not going on that boat.
- Dad'll be two men short!
- Yeah well they'll have
to find someone else.
Someone who's a little
bit older.
- He can't get anyone else.
- Yeah you know why, don't you?
- She's jinxed.
- Blue Fin hasn't had
a real catch in months.
- All boats have a run of
bad luck.
- Bad luck?
There's not one crewman in
Streaky Bay
who'd risk his neck for the
money they'd make on her.
And neither should you.
- I'm going to ask dad.
- You're crazy.
- I don't care, I'm going
to ask--
- You're not going!
Don't take him dad,
please don't.
- Ruth, you can't walk
through life
being afraid of what
might happen.
Snook.
If I take you on, this
time it would be hard work.
No fooling around, no
falling overboard.
Is that understood?
- Yes.
- All right, go pack your bag.
(sombre music)
(light music)
(squawking)
- Snook!
- Fish!
- Fish!
- [Snook] Over there!
(beeping)
- Now.
It's your turn.
You're gonna show them you
can do it?
Yes, good lad.
- They're here, right
on the surface, skip!
- All right then, Snook.
But don't lose them.
Start chumming.
Another one.
' Ha!
Yay!
(uplifting music)
- Whoah!
- [Herbie] Hey, that's the
way, Snook.
Good boy!
- More!
(grunting)
- Good on you, boy!
- A bit faster.
- [Man On Radio] Copy to VH5SC.
Estimated time of arrival,
2000 hours.
Estimated catch, 28
tonnes, over.
- Good child, Geordie.
Lend me a pole.
(Herbie laughing)
Great.
And get that fish below.
Here we go.
- [Man On Radio] 5SC to
Blue Fin.
VH5SC to Blue Fin.
Calling Blue Fin, we have
urgent information for you.
(splashing)
(splashing)
- Whoah!
(men laughing)
(men grunting)
- [Reporter] An intense cyclone
is forming
and hazardous conditions are
expected
with violent winds and very
rough seas.
In the area south.
- [Reporter] A warning
of extreme turbulence
and dangerous flying conditions.
- [Reporter] Cyclone is now
moving rapidly northeast
with winds in excess of 250.
(splashing)
(squawking)
- Hey, what's happening?
- Something's bothering them.
- They've never done
that before.
- [Pascoe] Keep chumming.
They're still there.
(wind howling)
- Water spout!
- Get out of the rack!
- Don't freeze, get below!
Everybody below!
Mayday Blue Fin.
Mayday-
(shattering)
(screaming)
- [Herbie] Kiddo get below!
_ No!
- Get below!
- Geordie!
(shattering)
Look out, Geordie!
- [Geordie] I'm okay!
_ No!
(screaming)
- Windows!
(clanging and shattering)
' Help me!
(screaming)
- Con!
' He“), help!
(screaming)
- Somebody help me!
(screaming)
(crashing)
- Search coordinator to base,
approaching the search
area, over.
- [Man On Radio] Base
to search coordinator.
Please make a preliminary
check of the area.
- [Man] Spotter four to base.
I'm now proceeding to main
search area.
- Don't worry, Mrs. Pascoe.
Planes are up already.
We'll find them for sure.
(car starting)
(motor humming)
- [Pilot] Search
coordinator to base.
There's cloud right down to
sea level in every direction,
I can't see a thing, over.
- [Man On Radio] Base to
search coordinator, roger.
Base to all aircraft.
The latest forecast is
the weather conditions
in the search area are not
expected
to improve for at least
two days.
Return to base, out.
(plane motor whirring)
- Herbie?
Dad?
Geordie?
Dad?
Dad?
(sombre music)
Dad, Dad!
(groaning)
Come on, let's get you up.
- Oh!
Come on, run out a bath.
(groaning)
Who's that, Snook?
- Yes.
- Get me.
Get me Herbie.
Yeah, Herbie.
- They're gone.
It's just you and me, dad.
(Pascoe coughing)
- Snook.
Snook, dear boy.
Water, there's water.
(coughing)
(tense music)
(banging)
(water rushing)
(steam hissing)
(coughing)
(coughing)
- Dad, dad?
Dad.
(thudding)
(clacking)
(water trickling)
(water swishing)
(creaking)
(streaming)
(creaking)
(clanging)
(swishing)
(tapping)
- Marmalade.
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight, nine.
(streaming)
497, 498, 499, 500.
501, 502, 503.
96, 997, 998, 999.
A thousand.
(plane whooshing)
(splashing)
(clattering)
(plane whooshing)
(Popping)
(tense music)
(sombre music)
4,996.
4,997.
4,998.
4,999.
5,000.
(exhaling)
It's okay, dad, we're safe.
I got rid of the water.
(groaning)
(ominous music)
Sinking!
(ignition firing)
(sloshing)
(scraping)
(sloshing)
(Zapping and crackling)
(ignition firing)
(ignition firing)
Come on!
(ignition firing)
Come on!
(motor whirring)
(motor chugging)
I've got it, dad!
I started it!
I'm gonna take us home.
(motor humming)
(light music)
(hopeful music)
(thudding)
_ No!
(slightly tense music)
(grunting)
(motor humming)
(uplifting music)
(grunting)
" Bach!
We're safe, dad, we got us back.
- Good boy.
Yes. (groaning)
What?
Oh son.
You know your way home?
- Yeah.
- Let's go, go.
(light music)
- [Snook] Dad!
Dad, look!
We've done it!
(honking)
(zooming)
_ Yo!
(ship horns honking)
(light music)
(equipment beeping)
- Come on, wake up, Jock,
wake up.
(groaning)
(sizzling)
- Is that bugger getting UP?
- I think he's dead.
- Yeah well he's not the
only one.
(clanging)
_ Qyoyoyoy!
Oyoyoyoy!
- Come on you lot, I'm not
running a hotel, you know?
(light music)
' Hey, 0y. skipper!
Fish!
Hurry up now!
(laughing)
(fast beeping)
- Ah, snook.
- Gotta keep my eye on you.
- Just keep your eye on fishing,
man.
It's about time we got a
good catch.
- Looks like a big school?
- Picking up the one
we've been waiting for.
- Stop yakking, you two.
- Do you mind?
- Need any help, dad?
- [Dad] Just stand here
and watch and learn.
- [Man] They're here, Skipper!
- And if you can, don't
be always in my way.
(birds squawking)
Geordie, start chumming.
- [Geordie] Right, skipper.
- Come on.
Hooray!
- Come on, come on.
- [Man On Radio] Dogstar
to Bluefin.
Dogstar to Bluefin.
Dogstar to Bluefin.
- Bluefin to Dogstar.
- [Man On Radio] Hello
Snook, where's your father?
- He's busy.
- [Man On Radio] Tell
him we're sailing home
with 40 tonnes.
- Stop boasting.
How often do I have to tell
you not to touch this radio?
(light music)
"Ah!
(grunting)
- Come on!
- [Sam] Bait, Geordie, bait!
- Catch full, skipper!
- [Dad] Con, clear the deck.
- Skipper, Snook can chum.
_ No!
- They're biting, mate, it can't
go wrong.
- It's not worth the risk.
- Snook.
Come down here.
- Darn!
- Son, here is the chance
you wanted.
Hey, don't fall over your
own feet.
One day you'll go straight into
the water.
(light music)
All right Snook, two twos.
Keep going, a steady sprinkle.
- Bait!
Come on boy.
- Snook, bait.
- We're losing them!
- More bait!
Quick!
Both sides!
Come on!
Other school!
The other side too!
Quick, quick!
Leave it.
Leave it.
You've lost them.
- No more than four tones I
would say.
First decent school we've had
in ages.
- Yeah.
- We were sitting on a
hundred tonnes of tuna.
And all we get is four.
(sombre music)
♪ Up is Jack, he's come
to see me ♪
♪ See the time goes on with me ♪
♪ He'll come back ♪
- Have you finished this?
Come on, let's play cards, clear
this off.
- How many Rs in the suffrages?
- One.
- One?
- Is Jock coming?
- No, he's up there
getting his beauty sleep.
- Have you finished with
this one?
- I didn't know a bloke
could be that tired.
- One day he'll fall
asleep while he's fishing.
Right into the drink.
- But you know they'll throw
him back
when they smell his feet.
(laughing)
- Don't worry, we got just
the bloke to take over.
" Who?
- Snook, the demon chum.
- Oh come on, leave the
kid alone.
- I'm not a kid.
- I'm in.
I'm in.
Want a game, son?
- No thanks.
- Two.
- Two and uh.
(men laughing)
- Hey-
Cheer up.
You'll be okay next time.
- Not if dad's around.
- He's a hard man.
And he's extra tough on you.
He's come out here for years
and taken what he wanted.
And the seas played
along with him.
So he thinks he's the master.
- Sam.
Time the boy was in bed.
(light music)
(dog barking)
- What on earth are you doing?
- Thought dad might be
coming back.
- Father?
You only want him back so
Sam can take you to the ball.
- I'm going down to talk to dad.
- It won't do you any good.
- Oh, you never know.
I might be able to charm
him into it.
(revving)
- Right done, Pascoe.
You better find that fish today.
(boat revving)
(zooming)
- Strong wind warnings,
wind southeast southwest.
20 to 25 knots expected to
reach 30 knots at times.
First up today by special
request is Blue Fin.
VH5SE calling Blue Fin.
VH5SE calling Blue Fin.
Come in, Bill.
- Yes, 5SE from Blue Fin.
We are all right, over.
- Someone here for you, Bill.
- Hi dad.
Any chance of you getting Sam
back here by tomorrow night?
All the other boats will be
back.
- Sorry Ruth, you and your
mother will have to find
someone else to dance with.
(light music)
(hissing)
- Those eggs all right?
- Morning, skipper.
- Good morning, Geordie.
- Here, try that.
- Thanks, oh, nice and hot.
- Yeah.
- I hope the eggs are too.
(groaning)
- Ugh!
(tense music)
- [Sam] Get the skipper!
(coughing)
- Dad, dad!
- Yeah?
- The ammonia's leaking!
- Take the wheel!
(coughing)
Sam!
Get up, get up!
- Hey come on buddy, hey!
Come on.
- Out you 9°-
Come on come on.
Out you get.
On the step, come on, up you go.
That's it.
Come on, easy now.
Come on, come on, sit down.
Sit down.
- Sam, you gonna be all right?
Dad, is he gonna be all right?
- You think you'll live?
- Yeah.
- Good boy.
- That stuff can kill
you, skipper.
- Blue Fin to VH5SE.
Blue Fin to VH5SE.
- [VHS-SE] Go ahead, Blue Fin.
- My freezer's packed up,
we are returning home.
- [VH5SE] Bad luck, Bill.
What time can we expect you?
- We're speeding it up,
say in about 10 hours.
" [VH5SE] Roger.
(whistling)
- Geordie.
- Yeah?
- How long will it take
to mend the freezer?
- [Geordie] Two, three days
maybe, why?
- I wanna come out on the next
trip.
- You know what I think.
- Yeah I know, you keep telling
me.
- Anybody who wants to be
a fisherman these days,
- [Both] Needs his head
examined.
- [Geordie] That's right.
- I'm going to ask dad.
- No.
- [Snook] Yeah.
- Good luck.
Snook, don't push him.
- You gonna let me come
on your next trip, dad?
I've got 10 days before
I go back to school.
- I think you'll be
much better off on land
for the time being.
- But I'll be great on
the lookout.
I've got good eyes.
- [Pascoe] All right,
what's that?
- Another tuna boat.
I reckon it's Dog Star.
- I want you to think before
you speak.
We both heard on the
radio yesterday
Dog Star went back home.
- I don't care, it's Dog Star.
- Blue Fin to Dog Star.
Blue Fin to Dog Star,
how do you read, over?
- Hello Bill, have any luck?
- Aren't you supposed to be home
with a load of 40 tonne of fish?
- We picked up another 10 tonne.
- [Pascoe] I call that
overloading.
- Yeah well, I reckon my boat
full can beat you back empty.
You game to take me on?
- Haha. (laughing)
You're on, man!
(light music)
Sam, pump the stone tank empty!
' Right!
Get the muck on, quick as I can!
- Right, come on now!
Now don't panic lads,
don't panic.
Come on, no way.
Come on lads!
- Hey mom, mom!
They're on their way home!
- Oh no, what's gone wrong now?
- Freezer trouble.
- That's all we need.
Boat's out of action, a
whole pile of repair bills.
Plus the fact that
Pam's just home
and the two of the
tuna quest girls
have gone down with
the chicken pox.
- Oh no.
(honking)
- Hey, watch it, Lofty.
- Getting quicker, Flash.
Hey mate, you should have
been a ballet dancer.
Blue Fin, Dog Star,
which one first?
- Oh, they're neck and neck at
the moment.
(light music)
(men shouting drowned out
by motors)
(men shouting and taunting)
(screaming)
- [Sam] Hey, stop!
Get back!
(splashing)
- Man overboard, skipper!
- [Man] Quick, that bay's full
of sharks!
- Snook!
- What?
- And Sam!
- [Man] Get a light!
_ Sam!
' [Man] Snook!
' [Man] Sam!
(splashing)
" Bach!
- Gordon's taking the rear.
- No sign, skipper.
' [Man] Sam!
- [Both] Sam!
- Snook!
Snook!
' [Man] Sam!
Snook!
- Snook!
' [Man] Sam!
- [Man] What's that?
- [Geordie] No, nothing,
just rubbish.
- Snook!
- Listen!
(splashing in distance)
- It's all right, mate, it's me.
You Okay?
Okay?
- Dad'll kill me.
- Yeah but he's got to
find us first.
Now come on, yell!
- Hey!
Dad!
_ Skmper!
- Dad, we're over here!
- [Sam] Help, Skipper!
Over here!
I've got the boy!
I've got him!
Over here!
- There!
- We've got him, skipper!
- Over here, skipper!
It's all right, boy.
Skipper!
Over here!
" Bach!
- It's all right, it's
all right.
- Come on, you'll make it!
Hurry up!
- Come on!
Come on still lad, that's
on you!
- [Man] Look at that swimming,
bit more, bit more!
Come on boy, come on.
(mumbling)
Get a hand, get a hand son.
All right get that hand.
There you go.
There we go.
- There you go.
- Score flat 10 and a big
barracuda.
Shall we tow them back?
- Oh they'll pollute the
harbour!
- What the heck were you trying
to do?
Don't you ever think?
Go and get dry.
You hear me?
(sombre music)
All of you believe me.
He is useless.
- [Herbie] Hey gorgeous!
♪ Give me your answer too ♪
- Hello, Herbie.
Hi dad!
- [Pascoe] Hello, Ruth.
- Hey-
- How you doing?
- Had a good time, Snook?
What's wrong?
- [Sam] I'll tell you later.
- [Bellamy] What kept
you, Billy?
- Leave it, leave it.
- Don't you ever.
Don't you ever do that
again to me.
You nearly cost me my son.
- What's a matter, Pascoe?
Lost your sense of humour?
(laughing)
- [Sam] Morning, Snook.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Promise you're not gonna
kill me?
- Why?
- I can't make it tonight.
- Oh no.
- Ah yeah.
- [Ruth] Why not?
- [Sam] Go with Snook.
- [Ruth] Snook?
- [Sam] Why don't you ask him?
- [Ruth] A waste of time.
I just won't go.
- Hey, what are you doing
tonight?
You going to the ball?
- No thanks.
- [Sam] What are
you gonna do then?
- I don't know.
But anything's better than that.
- I'm sure he'll think of
something.
_ Sam!
Want some coffee?
- Yeah.
Hey skip, there's
something I gotta tell you.
- Ah, shoot.
- Well at the end of the season,
when Ruth and I get married.
- You wanna leave Blue Fin.
- Yeah.
- 'Cause you don't wanna
work for your father-in-law.
- Right.
But how'd you know that?
- 'Cause I'd do exactly the
same.
Then you never know, I,
I might talk you into staying
with me.
- Snook's growing up
sooner or later, he could--
- He isn't made for it.
- He's just a kid.
What do you expect from a kid?
- I know he's only a kid.
But Snook will never
make a good fisherman.
There's nothing wrong with that.
- The compressor won't
be ready till Wednesday.
- So what?
- So will it be okay with you
if I took a trip on Dog Star?
- Dog Star'?
- [Sam] I'll be back
Tuesday at the latest.
- What's Bellamy trying to do?
- One of his crew's sick.
He just needs a new poler,
that's all.
- I could do with the money.
- I see.
Okay.
(clicking)
- Good morning.
- Oh hi mom.
- Get yourself some breakfast?
_ YGP-
- Father and I had a long talk
last night.
Think you might have to give up
the idea
of becoming a fisherman.
- It's because I fell overboard,
isn't it?
- Nothing to do with it.
- Yes it has, dad blames
me for everything.
- There are other jobs.
- I don't want another job.
I'm gonna be a fisherman.
- [Mom] Where are you going?
- Fishing!
(light music)
- You can get that over there.
- All right.
- We got a good catch, this one.
- [Ruth] Oh Sam, no!
Oh!
Oh Sam.
Oh don't don't go, not tonight!
Oh Sam! (giggling)
(giggling)
(boat honking)
Oh Snook.
Snook!
- Yeah?
- You're not gonna let me go
to the ball
by myself tonight, are you?
- Just watch me.
- Yeah, we got better
things to do.
- [Ruth] Ah yeah, like what?
- That's our business.
- Okay-
- Go on, you get your own!
You get your own.
Go on!
- Come on, get out right.
- Watch there on this one.
Do this myself.
- Now get on.
Go on, get away!
- Catch, lazy.
(light dance music)
- [Woman] Oh, hello.
(slurping)
- What can we do now?
- Have another milkshake.
- What are we gonna do now?
(zooming)
- Hey!
- Hey wait, you dropped
your load!
Hey wait!
- Come back!
(shouting over each other)
- Come back, wait!
- He's a beauty, isn't he?
- How do you know it's a he?
Could be a she, couldn't it?
- Hey, what about this?
They want a tuna queen,
don't they?
- [Snook] Ready, let's go.
' [Kid] Okay.
- [Snook] One, two.
(giggling)
- Come on, it's dead, walking.
- Hold on, it's slipping!
Wait, look out.
- There's been an accident?
- [Kids] NQ_
- Who's hurt?
- No one, no one.
- No one's hurt.
- It's a missing tuna.
Fell off a truck.
- Miss Spooner fell off a truck?
(laughing)
I know her!
She works in the library.
- Not Miss Spooner, a tuna!
(crowd applauding)
(light music)
(kids giggling)
- Shh, quiet!
Shh!
Shh, quiet.
- [Man] Ladies and gentlemen
it gives me great pleasure
to introduce the Roswell kids.
- Shh, come on.
Shh.
- I must begin by saying
how pleased we are
to be here tonight.
(giggling)
"Shh!
Shh, quiet, Pamela.
They'll hear us!
Shh.
- My wife and I, always been
keenly interested in the sea.
I have had the privilege
of serving
in her majesty's Royal
Navy for a good many years.
Our dear lady is quite a
connoisseur
of the culinary delights the
Asians offer.
And tuna, I must admit
is one of our favourite.
And it's thanks to people
like you
who courageously venture
forth in your clippers
that we are able to indulge
ourselves.
I mustn't keep you in suspense
any longer.
Already I can see some of the
young ladies waxing impatient.
So why don't we ask them to step
up here
onto the stage?
(trumpet music)
(man laughing)
(crashing)
(girls shrieking)
(laughing)
(kooky music)
(wheels squeaking)
(light music)
- Well, do you repent your
evil deed?
- No, it was worth it.
- [Ruth] Come on, have
some lunch.
- After I finish this.
- Dad won't mind you taking
a break.
Just stubborn as he is.
- [Reporter] But at the
moment here's some news
just come to hand.
There've been several
reports of ships and aircraft
of a fire at sea on the
South Australian Coast
over this morning.
- Listen!
- [Reporter] And since then a
fishing boat
has been reported missing
and a big search is now
being organised.
That's all at the moment
but we will have more details
for you
just as soon as they come in.
Next news, one--
(squawking)
(urgent music)
(crowd chattering)
- Excuse me!
Excuse me.
It's Dog Star, isn't it?
- Come on.
Your father wanted to go
out and help find them.
- [Man] VH5SC to all vessels,
we repeat, the Dog Star
is missing.
- How much do I have
to sign for this time?
- Oh, you're going on
the search.
The boss says this one's on
the house.
" Really?
Thank you.
- Ruth.
Snook come on, get ashore.
- Please, dad.
- You're coming with us!
- Come on, Snook.
(boat motor humming)
- Dad went missing
once, didn't he?
- Yes, before you were born.
- What did you do?
- Waited.
- Mom, Ruth!
They're going to search
the coast, I'm going.
- Wait for me, I'm coming too.
- No, Ruth, don't go.
- Anything's better than
just waiting.
(slamming)
(light music)
Oh Snook!
It'll be dark soon!
Oh come on, let's go on.
- But he could be in
those rocks!
- He's not.
He's out there somewhere.
(radio chatter)
(waves crashing)
(sombre music)
- He'll come back.
I know he will.
- I hate the sea.
Never thought I would.
(tense music)
- No.
- Everybody's going home, skip.
- Well.
We are not.
(wind howling)
(calm music)
- Look!
Over there!
(tense music)
- Over there, over there.
(sombre music)
(crashing)
(bell tolling)
(sniffling)
(tolling)
IWe cry to him ♪
♪ All those in peril
on the sea ♪
- Yea though I walk through
the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil
for thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff shall
comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table
before me
against them that trouble me.
Thou hast anointed my
head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving goodness
and mercy
shall follow me all the days of
my life.
And I will dwell in the
house of the Lord forever.
(sombre music)
(man coughing)
- When will you want us, skip?
(birds squawking)
- Stan's not going on
the next trip.
- You're not going on that boat.
- Dad'll be two men short!
- Yeah well they'll have
to find someone else.
Someone who's a little
bit older.
- He can't get anyone else.
- Yeah you know why, don't you?
- She's jinxed.
- Blue Fin hasn't had
a real catch in months.
- All boats have a run of
bad luck.
- Bad luck?
There's not one crewman in
Streaky Bay
who'd risk his neck for the
money they'd make on her.
And neither should you.
- I'm going to ask dad.
- You're crazy.
- I don't care, I'm going
to ask--
- You're not going!
Don't take him dad,
please don't.
- Ruth, you can't walk
through life
being afraid of what
might happen.
Snook.
If I take you on, this
time it would be hard work.
No fooling around, no
falling overboard.
Is that understood?
- Yes.
- All right, go pack your bag.
(sombre music)
(light music)
(squawking)
- Snook!
- Fish!
- Fish!
- [Snook] Over there!
(beeping)
- Now.
It's your turn.
You're gonna show them you
can do it?
Yes, good lad.
- They're here, right
on the surface, skip!
- All right then, Snook.
But don't lose them.
Start chumming.
Another one.
' Ha!
Yay!
(uplifting music)
- Whoah!
- [Herbie] Hey, that's the
way, Snook.
Good boy!
- More!
(grunting)
- Good on you, boy!
- A bit faster.
- [Man On Radio] Copy to VH5SC.
Estimated time of arrival,
2000 hours.
Estimated catch, 28
tonnes, over.
- Good child, Geordie.
Lend me a pole.
(Herbie laughing)
Great.
And get that fish below.
Here we go.
- [Man On Radio] 5SC to
Blue Fin.
VH5SC to Blue Fin.
Calling Blue Fin, we have
urgent information for you.
(splashing)
(splashing)
- Whoah!
(men laughing)
(men grunting)
- [Reporter] An intense cyclone
is forming
and hazardous conditions are
expected
with violent winds and very
rough seas.
In the area south.
- [Reporter] A warning
of extreme turbulence
and dangerous flying conditions.
- [Reporter] Cyclone is now
moving rapidly northeast
with winds in excess of 250.
(splashing)
(squawking)
- Hey, what's happening?
- Something's bothering them.
- They've never done
that before.
- [Pascoe] Keep chumming.
They're still there.
(wind howling)
- Water spout!
- Get out of the rack!
- Don't freeze, get below!
Everybody below!
Mayday Blue Fin.
Mayday-
(shattering)
(screaming)
- [Herbie] Kiddo get below!
_ No!
- Get below!
- Geordie!
(shattering)
Look out, Geordie!
- [Geordie] I'm okay!
_ No!
(screaming)
- Windows!
(clanging and shattering)
' Help me!
(screaming)
- Con!
' He“), help!
(screaming)
- Somebody help me!
(screaming)
(crashing)
- Search coordinator to base,
approaching the search
area, over.
- [Man On Radio] Base
to search coordinator.
Please make a preliminary
check of the area.
- [Man] Spotter four to base.
I'm now proceeding to main
search area.
- Don't worry, Mrs. Pascoe.
Planes are up already.
We'll find them for sure.
(car starting)
(motor humming)
- [Pilot] Search
coordinator to base.
There's cloud right down to
sea level in every direction,
I can't see a thing, over.
- [Man On Radio] Base to
search coordinator, roger.
Base to all aircraft.
The latest forecast is
the weather conditions
in the search area are not
expected
to improve for at least
two days.
Return to base, out.
(plane motor whirring)
- Herbie?
Dad?
Geordie?
Dad?
Dad?
(sombre music)
Dad, Dad!
(groaning)
Come on, let's get you up.
- Oh!
Come on, run out a bath.
(groaning)
Who's that, Snook?
- Yes.
- Get me.
Get me Herbie.
Yeah, Herbie.
- They're gone.
It's just you and me, dad.
(Pascoe coughing)
- Snook.
Snook, dear boy.
Water, there's water.
(coughing)
(tense music)
(banging)
(water rushing)
(steam hissing)
(coughing)
(coughing)
- Dad, dad?
Dad.
(thudding)
(clacking)
(water trickling)
(water swishing)
(creaking)
(streaming)
(creaking)
(clanging)
(swishing)
(tapping)
- Marmalade.
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight, nine.
(streaming)
497, 498, 499, 500.
501, 502, 503.
96, 997, 998, 999.
A thousand.
(plane whooshing)
(splashing)
(clattering)
(plane whooshing)
(Popping)
(tense music)
(sombre music)
4,996.
4,997.
4,998.
4,999.
5,000.
(exhaling)
It's okay, dad, we're safe.
I got rid of the water.
(groaning)
(ominous music)
Sinking!
(ignition firing)
(sloshing)
(scraping)
(sloshing)
(Zapping and crackling)
(ignition firing)
(ignition firing)
Come on!
(ignition firing)
Come on!
(motor whirring)
(motor chugging)
I've got it, dad!
I started it!
I'm gonna take us home.
(motor humming)
(light music)
(hopeful music)
(thudding)
_ No!
(slightly tense music)
(grunting)
(motor humming)
(uplifting music)
(grunting)
" Bach!
We're safe, dad, we got us back.
- Good boy.
Yes. (groaning)
What?
Oh son.
You know your way home?
- Yeah.
- Let's go, go.
(light music)
- [Snook] Dad!
Dad, look!
We've done it!
(honking)
(zooming)
_ Yo!
(ship horns honking)
(light music)